Abstract: A fastening system for securing and real-time monitoring of a bolted connection is described. An ultrasonic signal is used to measure time-of-flight in the bolt and calculate an effective length of the bolt. By comparing the calculated effective length against reference values, a loosened bolt may be detected, and a real-time decision can be made to initiate protective measures and/or make a report to a support system. The measuring subsystem can be configured to be electrically isolated, and the bolted connection may include a live electrical connection. The real-time monitoring can provide early warning of potential system failures across any system having bolted connections: this includes civil systems such as buildings and bridges, transportation devices such as trains and airplanes and automobiles, and power distribution systems.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for identifying an action. In some embodiments, a method for identifying an action includes: recording vibration trajectory information, wherein the vibration trajectory information corresponds to vibration of at least a portion of an intelligent device from a start of a vibration event to stabilization of the vibration event; determining whether the vibration is a damping vibration based on the vibration trajectory information; and in response to determining that the vibration is a damping vibration, determining that the vibration is caused by a user's trigger action, or in response to determining that the vibration is not a damping vibration, determining that the vibration is not caused by the user's trigger action.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a cross-bore between a first pipe and a second pipe that are installed underground includes a support and an electronic circuit assembly. The support is movable through the first pipe. The electronic circuit assembly is mounted to the support to move through the first pipe with the support. The electronic circuit assembly includes a controller and a capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor outputs a capacitance value based on an interaction of an electric field generated by the capacitance sensor with an environment of the first pipe. The capacitance sensor outputs to the controller a given capacitance value when the capacitance sensor is at a location where the environment of the first pipe is a cross-bore intersection with the second pipe. The controller generates an indicator indicative of a presence of a cross-bore upon the capacitance sensor outputting the given capacitance value.

Abstract: A circuit device includes a clock signal generation circuit that generates a clock signal through an oscillation circuit, and a detection circuit including a circuit operating through an operation signal based on the clock signal. The clock signal generation circuit includes a first frequency adjustment unit which is capable of adjusting an oscillation frequency before an physical quantity transducer and the circuit device are connected to each other, and a second frequency adjustment unit which is capable of adjusting the oscillation frequency in a state where the physical quantity transducer and the circuit device are connected to each other.

Abstract: A consumable part having a body with a surface is configured to be exposed to plasma during processing in a chamber. The consumable part includes a trigger feature disposed in the body. The trigger feature includes a void, and the void is an identifiable feature on the surface of the body to identify a wear level of the consumable part. The wear level is correlated to a lifetime remaining for the consumable part.

Abstract: A method for determining a physical similarity simulation material of a solid backfill body is provided. A compaction test is run on a gangue backfill body in a lab, to obtain a ?-? curve regarding the gangue backfill body in the compaction process. Backfill blocks are made by using a thin wood board, sponge, and a paper sheet in different proportions, and then an unconfined compression test is separately run on the backfill blocks used for physical similarity simulation, to obtain ?i-?i curves regarding the backfill blocks in the compression process. A sum of squared errors ?(?i??0)2 is introduced to separately calculate a sum of squared errors of the backfill block and that of the gangue backfill body, and accordingly an error between ?-? curves regarding the test block and the gangue backfill body is determined. Finally, a backfill block for which the sum of squared errors is less than 0.5 is determined as a physical similarity simulation material of the gangue backfill body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided, which use at least two coherent light sources with known phase relations between them, which are configured to illuminate a target with at least two corresponding spots, an optical unit comprising a mask and configured to focus, onto a sensor, interfered scattered illumination from the spots of the target, passing through the mask, to yield a signal, at least one shifter configured to shift a frequency of at least one of the coherent light sources to provide a carrier frequency in the signal, and a processing unit configured to derive a vibration frequency of the target from the sensor signal with respect to the carrier frequency. The vibration frequency of the target is separated from the carrier frequency and speckle disturbances may be attenuated or avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a test disc system having at least one test disc for testing the seal of a glove which is installed in a port of an insulator. The test disc (1) can be connected in a hermetically sealed fashion to the port, wherein the glove encloses with the test disc (1) a glove volume which can be placed under overpressure by the test disc (1). The test disc (1) has a base body in which electronic components for recording and storing a pressure profile in the glove volume, and at least one data interface are arranged. The test disc (1) also has a reading device for reading both a first identification element which is arranged on the glove and a second identification element which is assigned to the port.

Abstract: A test result evaluating method and a material tester are provided. A test result evaluating part includes a representative value calculating part that acquires a representative value of section data corresponding to one period of a natural vibration frequency from data of a time period representing a force applied to a test piece also including a natural vibration and a ratio calculating part that calculates a ratio between the representative value acquired by the representative value calculating part and a value based on an amplitude of the natural vibration. The representative value calculating part and the ratio calculating part are arranged in a test result evaluating part as programs realizing functions by operating an arithmetic operation device.

Abstract: A system and method for substantially coincidental sample takeoff flow rate verification which detects unstable flow conditions in a pipeline, terminates fluid sample analysis during flow instability, and resumes sample takeoff when a steady flow state is re-established.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device and a method for calibrating a MEMS device. The device includes a first semiconductor substrate including at least one MEMS component. The device also includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprising a second semiconductor substrate. The second semiconductor substrate is attached to the first semiconductor substrate. The second semiconductor substrate includes at least one piezoresistive strain gauge. Each piezoresistive strain gauge includes at least one doped semiconductor region having a resistivity that is determined by a strain on said doped semiconductor region. The second semiconductor substrate also includes a circuit for evaluating a trim algorithm for the at least one MEMs component using one or more output values received from the at least one piezoresistive strain gauge.

Abstract: Methods for determining a density of a fluid are provided. The method can include passing the fluid through a conduit, measuring a vibration of the conduit by distributed acoustic sensing via a fiber optic cable coupled to the conduit, and generating a vibrational signal indicative of the measured vibration. At least a portion of the vibration of the conduit can be produced by the fluid passing therethrough. The method can also include measuring a temperature of the conduit and generating a temperature signal indicative of the temperature. The method can further include calculating the density of the fluid passing through the conduit by using the vibrational signal and the temperature signal.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting a structure. The method may comprise sending a pulsed wave signal into the structure from a transmitter array. The method may detect a response signal in response to sending the pulsed wave signal into the structure at a group of receivers in a receiver array. The method may identify a group of time delays between sending the pulsed wave signal and may detect the response signal generated in response to the pulsed wave signal at the group of receivers. The method may identify a group of intensities for the response signal detected at the group of receivers. The method may determine a distance to a reflector within the structure using the group of time delays and the group of intensities.

Abstract: A testing system and methods for using the same are provided. The testing system can include a sensor and a radiofrequency (RF) tag mounted on the sensor. The RF tag can be configured to store sensor information regarding the sensor and to wirelessly communicate at least a portion of the sensor information to a portable computing device upon request. The portable computing device can be configured to allow an operator to obtain selected sensor information from the RF tag and display it on the portable computing device. The portable computing device can also be configured to retrieve additional sensor information from external sources, such as a sensor manufacturer, via a network. Thus, sensor information can be retrieved in the field by the portable computing device for use in operating the testing system.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor having a first shaft extending therefrom. The motor is configured to apply energy to the first shaft. A particle cartridge mechanically is coupled to the motor via the first shaft. The particle cartridge includes a screen separating an internal volume of the particle cartridge from an environment of the apparatus, and a plurality of particles disposed within the internal volume. A particle manipulation element is mechanically coupled to the first shaft and in contact with the plurality of particles. The particle manipulation element moves in response to the energy being applied to the first shaft to force some of the particles through the screen and into the environment of the apparatus.

Abstract: A mask seal test method, device, and system of using the same are described herein. One method for testing a mask seal can include blocking a respirator cartridge to create pressure within a mask, wherein the mask includes a pressure sensor, measuring pressure values within the mask using the pressure sensor, and notifying a user in response to an increased pressure decay value among the pressure values received by the mask identification reader.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing performance degradation of a machine element includes an AE sensor that generates an AE waveform signal; a vibration sensor that generates an acceleration signal; a signal processing unit including an AE signal processing system that performs predetermined signal processing on the plurality of AE waveform signals, a vibration signal processing system that performs predetermined signal processing on the acceleration signal, and a switching parameter generating section that generates a predetermined numeric parameter to switch a measuring mode from the AE method to the vibration method; and controlling unit that selects a result of the processing in performed by the AE signal processing system at the initial stage and selects, after the numeric parameter successively turns from increasing to decreasing, a result of the processing by the vibration signal processing system.

Abstract: A MEMS system includes a proof mass, an anchor, an amplifier, first and second sense elements and their corresponding feedback elements. The proof mass moves responsive to a stimulus. The anchor coupled to the proof mass via a spring. The amplifier receives a proof mass signal from the proof mass and amplifies the signal to generate an output signal. The first sense element is connected between the proof mass and a first input signal and the second sense element is connected between the proof mass and a second input signal. The second input signal has a polarity opposite to the first input signal. The first feedback element is connected between the proof mass and the output signal and its charges change responsive to proof mass displacement. The second feedback element is connected between the proof mass and the output signal and its charges change in response to proof mass displacement.

Abstract: An observation system and determination method for the re-suspension quantity of submarine sediments by deep-sea internal waves. The observation system comprises a submarine observation platform, a mooring rope, and an anchor mooring counterweight. Acoustic release transponder, a single-point current meter, a turbidity meter, a high-precision temperature and salinity detector, and a sediment catcher are mounted on the submarine observation platform. A main floating body and auxiliary floating bodies are arranged on the mooring rope, wherein the main floating body is located in the middle of the mooring rope and is equipped with acoustic Doppler current profilers, and the auxiliary floating bodies are equipped with turbidity meters and high-precision temperature and salinity detectors. The anchor mooring counterweight is a gravity anchor provided with a square clamping groove and a fixed ring.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a piezoelectric body including a transmission region for an ultrasonic wave and a reception region for a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave, a common electrode in the transmission region and the reception region, a transmission electrode in the transmission region, a reception electrode in the reception region; and a semiconductor element that is electrically connected to the transmission electrode and the reception electrode and switches an electrical path between a conductive state and a non-conductive state. The semiconductor element puts the path into the conductive state after application of the alternating-current voltage is stopped. Thus, a reverberation signal, output from the reception region in accordance with a reverberant vibration of the ultrasonic wave, is fed back to the transmission electrode.